Elton John joined President Joe Biden and other guests on June 28, 2024, for the opening ceremony of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York City. The ceremony marked the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion and opened a visitor center at the monument established in 2016—not the monument itself.
What happened at the June 28 ceremony?
Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, joined President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at 51 Christopher Street for the visitor center’s inauguration. Pride Live organized the ceremony, according to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
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Biden spoke at the grand opening and introduced John. In his remarks, he thanked the people whose vision brought the center to life and spoke about Stonewall’s significance and the dignity of LGBTQ+ people. The official transcript records the ceremony and his remarks.
Why the visitor center matters
The National Park Service describes the center as a place to learn about the Stonewall uprising and the broader LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. Its offerings include interactive exhibits, informational videos and space for reflection. The NPS visitor information identifies it as part of the visitor experience at Stonewall National Monument.
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At the unveiling, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland called it “the first-ever LGBTQ+ visitor center in the national parks of America,” as reported by the Department of the Interior. The distinction matters: President Barack Obama designated the Stonewall Inn and nearby Christopher Park as a national monument in 2016. The 2024 ceremony opened the center at that existing monument.
What Elton John said
In a statement published by his foundation, John connected the opening to both the history of LGBTQ+ rights and the work still ahead:
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“Fifty-five years after the Stonewall Uprising, gathering at the iconic 51 Christopher Street in celebration of the first LGBTQ+ visitor center within the National Park Service fills me with joy and hope. Throughout my life, I’ve been inspired by the courageous LGBTQ+ trailblazers whose relentless pursuit of our rights has paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy today. Yet we must remember that this is not the reality for so many across the globe.”
He added that the Elton John AIDS Foundation stands with Pride Live in supporting the LGBTQ+ community and pursuing respect and dignity for everyone. The complete statement appears in the foundation’s June 29, 2024 account.
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Who helped bring the center to life?
Pride Live co-founders Ann Marie Gothard and Diana Rodriguez fundraised for and designed the visitor center, according to the National Park Foundation. The project brought together organizers and partners to create a public space for interpreting Stonewall’s history.
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The National Park Service lists admission as free and gives hours of Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the center closed Mondays. Hours can change; the NPS advises visitors to check the partner organization’s site for the latest hours and closures before making a trip.
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